Here’s a super easy and budget-friendly recipe for making ciabatta bread at home, no fancy tools or mixers needed. Just a bowl, a spoon, and a little patience!
🥖 Easy & Budget-Friendly Ciabatta Bread
🧾 Ingredients (Makes 2 medium loaves)
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500 g (about 4 cups) all-purpose flour or bread flour
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1 ½ tsp salt
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1 tsp instant dry yeast (or 2¼ tsp active dry yeast)
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400 ml (1¾ cups) lukewarm water
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1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for softer crumb)
⏱️ Timeline
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Hands-on time: 15 minutes
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Resting/rising time: 8–12 hours (overnight)
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Bake time: 20–25 minutes
🥣 Instructions
1. Mix the Dough (Night Before)
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and yeast.
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Add the lukewarm water (and olive oil, if using).
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Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until no dry flour remains. The dough will be wet and sticky — that’s perfect.
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Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a towel. Let it rise at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours, until bubbly and doubled.
2. Shape the Loaves (Next Day)
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Generously flour your work surface.
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Gently turn out the dough. Don’t punch it down — preserve the air bubbles.
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Sprinkle flour on top, then carefully stretch and fold it a couple of times into a rectangle.
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Cut in half and shape each half into a loose, flat loaf — ciabatta-style (rustic and freeform).
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Place on parchment paper or a baking sheet. Let rest for 30–45 minutes.
3. Bake
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Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). If possible, preheat a baking stone or heavy tray inside.
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Optionally, place a metal pan on the oven floor and pour in a bit of hot water when baking for steam = better crust.
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Bake ciabatta for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
✅ Tips
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The dough is very wet — that’s what gives ciabatta its open crumb. Resist the urge to add more flour.
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To freeze: Cool fully, then wrap in foil and freeze. Reheat in a hot oven for 8–10 minutes.